Photo: Xavier Marin, Founder & CEO Dan * na. Dan * na, a technology-based startup dedicated to the development of biomaterials of high added value for the biomedical and technological sector, has expanded its facilities in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) with the start-up of a pilot production plant for the industrial scaling of its bioplastics.
The bioengineering company, which will increase its surface area in the park to 100 m² to increase its operational capacity, has a multidisciplinary and multicultural staff of 10 professionals, including 5 doctors in the technical area - with more than 20 years of experience in the technological development of sustainability and circular economy, led by Xavier Marin (CEO), the Dr. Sejin Oh (CTO), Oriol Pla (CFO) and Carles ortiz (COO).
“The expansion of our facilities allows us to consolidate our R&D center on the PCB to advance in the development of new biomaterials and, at the same time, offer services to help companies reduce their CO₂ emissions and introduce materials and processes more sustainable in their production models and end products ”, explains Xavier Marin, CEO and founder of the company.
Dan * na has opened a first round of financing of 2_M_ € _ to continue expanding its scale towards an industrial plant of bioplastic PLA (lactic acid polymer), a 100% biobased and biodegradable material that is created from organic derivatives or their waste, and which has great potential in sectors such as packaging, microelectronics, biomedicine, 3D printing, cosmetics, the primary sector and in the food industry itself.
According to the European-Bioplastics association, the bioplastics market represents just 1% of the 368 million tons of plastic produced annually in the world, with a potential market of 360.000 million euros in Europe alone.
“Our mission is to accelerate the global transition towards sustainable technological materials. For this reason, we focus our interest on venture capital that shares our social and environmental protection values. We seek a relationship with our investors in the medium and long term. A relationship that allows us to generate financial return, but also social and environmental impact. Our growth and internationalization plan involves responding to a global demand that is increasingly committed to the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda, "he says. Xavier Marin.
Recently, Dan * na has also acquired and assumed the management of Bioplasticos.com, a platform to create and energize a cluster of professionals, companies, public institutes, universities and technology centers aimed at promoting sustainability and the circular economy through the potential of bioplastics. .
Dan * na is an expert in the design and development of new biomaterials and bioplastics from organic derivatives, such as lactic acid or organic waste. By combining molecular technologies, green chemistry, computational calculation and disruptive AI technologies - such as the digital twins system - it functionalizes its use for the primary, technological and biomedical sector.
The company has developed and patented a new 100% biocompatible and biobased biomaterial to be used in the health sector (regeneration of tissues, bones, cartilage and nerves, bioengineering and bioprinting). This same material can also be used as a substrate in microelectronics for the development of biodegradable sensors and biosensors for the technology and primary sectors.
